Niger junta replaces army chief after deadly military mutiny

Niger’s junta leader Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani has appointed a new head of the armed forces, days after soldiers staged a mutiny in the capital that was resolved with help from Russian forces.

Brig. Gen. Mamane Sani Kiaou will replace Maj. Gen. Moussa Salaou Barmou as chief of staff, according to a decree announced on state television.

Barmou had served as the junta’s top military commander since the July 2023 coup that removed President Mohamed Bazoum.

“By a decree signed on September 11, 2026, General Abdourahamane Tiani has appointed Brigadier General Mamane Sani Kiaou as chief of staff of the armed forces,” state television reported.

The government gave no explanation for Barmou’s removal, which comes less than two weeks after a confrontation involving soldiers at a military base in Niamey.

The incident began on August 28 when a group of mostly young soldiers seized control of Base 101 at Diori Hamani International Airport and held other military personnel hostage. The soldiers also opened fire at several strategic locations, according to Niger’s Defence Ministry.

Government forces eventually regained control of the base after Russian Africa Corps personnel provided support. Dozens of soldiers involved in the mutiny were reportedly killed or detained, while three presidential guard members died during the fighting.

The mutiny came as Niger continues to battle armed groups, particularly in parts of the west and southeast. According to analysts cited by the Associated Press, some of the soldiers involved had grievances over the military’s ability to deal with the attacks as well as conditions faced by troops.

Sani is not new to the security campaign. He previously served as army chief and has commanded operations against armed groups in Tillabéri in western Niger and Diffa in the southeast. His appointment gives him responsibility for the military as the junta continues its shift away from Western security partnerships.

Tchiani took power in the 2023 coup after accusing the civilian government of failing to contain extremist violence. His junta has since ended military cooperation with France and the United States and turned to Russia for security support, but armed groups remain active in several parts of the country.